Food & Shopping

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Its common for most international students to take time to adjust to the different foods and a new diet in Australia, especially if you are in a homestay situation where meals are provided. Unless you've lived away from home before you may find it a challenge juggling your studies, paying bills, and doing the everyday chores of cooking and shopping.

If you don't know how to cook for yourself, it is useful to learn some basic skills before you leave your country. Try and collect some easy-to-cook recipes from your parents or relatives.

Brisbane has a wide variety of restaurants to chose from. Prices vary from $7 of a meal in a food court to a dinner at $25 per person at a moderately priced restaurant.

Supermarkets trading hours are from 8am-9pm Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm Saturday, 9am-6pm on Sunday. Most retail shops and speciality store are open from Mon-Fri 9-5pm and on Saturdays until 4pm. Shopping malls in the suburbs are open late every Thursday night until 9pm with shops in the city remaining open unitl 9pm on Friday nights.

A good shopping guide can be found at www.ourbrisbane.com

Many supermarkets cater to the needs of Brisbane's multicultural population. You will find that most of the spices, vegetables and ingredients you need are readily available in food stores in and around Brisbane, including Halal meat.

A wide variety of Asian and Islander products can also be found at Chinatown in Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley with many delicatenssens catering for more European tastes. Farmers Markets or weekend markets also provide shoppers with a wonderful alternative to the more conventional commercial outlets. Staff at ISS can advise you on where to shop for any special needs you may have.

The cost of daily and common food items below give you some idea of living costs in Brisbane. Of course, as in any country, these prices vary widely as the market fluctuates, or due to seasonal availability. The current water crisis in Brisbane and the drought throughout Australia have caused the food prices to fluctate more than normal.

* All prices quoted here are estimates only and to be used as a guide only. They are accurate as at Oct 2007.